Central Mongolia

The classic overland loops from Ulaanbaatar: the Orkhon Valley, Karakorum, White Lake, Lake Khuvsgul and the South Gobi.

Central Mongolia is the most common region for long-distance overland trips in Mongolia. Starting from Ulaanbaatar and radiating southwest and north, most visitors tour by hired vehicle with a driver-guide, staying mainly in tourist ger camps and with herder families. The main highlights include Gorkhi-Terelj National Park and the Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue near the capital; the UNESCO-listed Orkhon Valley with the ruins of the ancient capital Karakorum and Erdene Zuu Monastery; in the Khangai region, White Lake (Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake), the extinct Khorgo volcano and hot springs; in the north, Lake Khuvsgul, known as the "Blue Pearl of Mongolia", where you can meet reindeer herders; and in the South Gobi, Yolyn Am (Vulture Valley), the Khongoryn Els dunes and the Flaming Cliffs, a dinosaur fossil site. Classic combinations are the central loop (Ulaanbaatar–Karakorum–White Lake–Khuvsgul) in about 8–10 days and the South Gobi route in about 5–7 days; combining them takes two weeks or more. Roads are mostly dirt tracks, so off-road vehicles are bumpy and drives are long, and camps mostly lack reliable internet and hot water. During the Naadam festival in July, accommodation and vehicle hire are tight, so book early.

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